To explore the possibility of joining a contender. Or, even, to jump ship after a few rough seasons when he first joined the Calgary Flames in a blockbuster deal that sent the current Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf to Toronto.

But, in the end, the 30-year-old pivot decided to stay on board.

“I’d be lying if I said my wife and I didn’t sit down and talk about it,” Stajan, the fresh owner of a four-year extension worth $3.125-million a season. “But we love it here in Calgary. We’re having our first baby in a few months. We want to be here for that. And I want to be a part of something where you can turn something around and grow it all together to be successful. Sometimes you go in and, yeah, I could get traded to a playoff team. Yeah, you get a taste of that.

“But at the end of the day, I think it’s more of an accomplishment if you’re a part of something.”

That’s not to say it’s going to be an easy ride for the National Hockey League veteran of 694-games. Or that it has been (“My time here in Calgary hasn’t exactly, as you know, been the best of times,” Stajan said Monday). And that there aren’t going to be some times of frustration with the rebuilding club he just re-signed with on Monday while the Flames were in San Jose.

There’s been some embracing on his part. Acceptance of a role that includes little glory, more grit. Less power play and more penalty-killing. Taking faceoffs against the opposing teams’ top lines. And, perhaps most importantly, being a role model for the team’s impressionable up-and-comers and incoming talent.

With the previous coaching staff at the helm led by Brent Sutter, Stajan was demoted to a fourth-line centre and it seemed like his time in Calgary was coming to an end shortly after it began.

But, now being the longest-serving Flame with some belief instilled in him from the current coaching staff, he said his expectations have changed.

“As a player, you have to learn that things aren’t always going to go your way,” Stajan said. “You’re not always going to be in situations that are going to give you the opportunity to succeed. You have to make the most of any situation you’re given. If I’m told (Wednesday) night, I’m playing on the fourth-line, left-wing, then I try to do the best I can with that job. I think that’s the mindset for most of the guys that have been in this league for a long time.

“You have to accept it. I want to be a big part of things here. We have a lot of work to do, no doubt about it, and I’m just going to try to bring everything I can.”

Brian Burke, the man who was initially involved in the deal with the Leafs when he was the team’s general manager, had identified as a player on their list to approach and re-sign. About almost two weeks ago, the interim Flames GM met with Stajan’s agent Pat Morris and crunched some numbers.

But thinking back four years — almost to the date (Jan. 31, 2010) — just what made Burke decide to include him in the trade that sent Niklas Hagman, Ian White, and Jamal Mayers to Calgary and Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom, and Keith Aulie to the Leafs to begin with?

“I thought Matt was a good player in Toronto,” Burke said. “The only reason we traded him is that (then-Flames GM) Darryl Sutter insisted that he be in the deal for Dion Phaneuf. That’s the only reason I traded him. I told him that when I came here.”

Since then?

“He’s a far better hockey player now than he was then,” Burke added. “He’s more alert. His positional play is stronger. He knows where he’s supposed to go without hesitation. His work ethic has been consistent since he turned pro. His hockey sense is finely developed. He does a lot of things well. If our team performance were better, that would be reflected with higher numbers, too.”

At the moment, Stajan only has seven goals and 10 assists in 42 games and has a minus-17 to go with it.

Still, Burke said his presence is important in changing the culture in Calgary.

“So, when you get a guy who’s buying into the new culture, buying into what the coach is teaching, then passing that along and reinforcing it and encouraging it with the younger players — those are critical things,” he said. “I think Matt’s an important player for our hockey team. I’m glad he’s under contract now. I think (Monday was) an important day for us.”

Of course, Stajan — was drafted 57th overall by Toronto in 2002 and played his entire career there before the deal — knows what Burke is about, too.

Change, with him at the helm, is imminent. And he said it’s for the better.

“Obviously, we’re pretty much starting at the bottom,” Stajan said. “But to be part of something to build it up, right from now, for them wanting you to be a part of it? It’s something we thought would be great. You get more fulfilment with that. We’ll see what happens; there are no guarantees. Things could always change. But right now, I’m here and I’m happy.”

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.